Shrub 4–5 ft. high; twigs glabrous; bud-scales persistent. Leaves short-petioled, membranous, oblong-ovate, abruptly acuminate, base cuneate, margin rather closely toothed, 1 3/4–2 1/2 in. long, 3/4–1 1/4 in. wide, rather dark green, paler beneath, sparingly hairy, at length glabrous above, softly pubescent especially on the nerves beneath; petiole 1/8 in. long, sparingly pubescent; stipules accrescent, umbonate or spinulose. Male flowers unknown. Female peduncles slender, 1/2 in. long, 2–3-flowered, and rhachis softly pubescent; pedicels short, distant, 1/8 in. long. Female calyx 2-partite. Ovary densely hirsute, 2-celled; stigmas free, linear, patulous, fimbriate-laciniate throughout. Disk of 2 free scales. Capsule 2-coccous, didymous; cocci setose, 1/4 in. across. Seeds with red aril and distinctly foveolate-reticulate testa.
